At the Queen_s command

So engrossed in their work were they that it came as a complete surprise when Baker appeared at the laboratory door and announced the arrival of Count von Metternin. The Kessian wore a light blue uniform, white breeches, buff facings and waistcoat, gold epaulets, and black cavalry boots. A jaunty cavalier's hat with a feather and a gold cockade holding the left part of the brim up against the crown completed his outfit. The cockade and epaulets had been fitted with a small, black metal lizard, marking the man as a Wurmrider.

The Count took one step into the laboratory and bowed deeply. "Prince Vladimir, it is the greatest of pleasures to meet you and on behalf of Princess Gisella…"

Vlad held up both clay-caked hands. "Count von Metternin, please, stop. Two things I require of you. The first is to realize that here, in Mystria, formality is appreciated, but sincerity is valued above form. This is a land that can be beautiful and harsh. We take it and people as presented."

The Count straightened, then nodded. "As you desire, Highness."

"And second, do not speak to me of the Princess unless I ask for word of her." Vlad opened his arms and looked around the laboratory. "I asked you here to see me as I am, so there will be no illusions. You will see me as my aunt and her ministers never have. Once you get to know me, then you will be better able to tell me of the Princess. Does that sound like a good idea?"

"It does, Highness, thank you." The man removed his hat and set it atop the raven's cage. "To be entirely truthful, Highness, the duty of transporting and presenting my cousin has been the most difficult I have ever been given. It has nothing to do with the girl, but bureaucracies and manners are not my forte."

"This, then, we have in common. May I present Prince Kamiskwa of the Altashee and Nathaniel Woods. They have obtained many of the specimens you see herein."

"Mr. Woods, a pleasure to see you again. Prince Kamiskwa, I am honored."

Kamiskwa bowed after the Shedashee fashion and Nathaniel sketched a friendly salute that daubed his forehead with gray.

The Count approached the model. "This is fascinating. Something you are planning to build?"

"No, it is under construction by the Tharyngians to the northwest of here, near the headwaters of the Tillie River."

The Kessian circled it, peering closely at some points, squatting to judge angles at others. "Quite formidable. The creator fears no assault from the lake side. On land, the only approachable route would be from the north. Once inside the fortress, any invading force would be slaughtered-provided the commander was not an idiot."

Vlad nodded. "It's being built by Guy du Malphias."

Von Metternin visibly shuddered. "He is an evil man. I met him, briefly, once. He offered me a place on his staff. I refused. He tried to have me killed, along with a battalion of the Fluor Regiment at Planchain. His Platine Regiment was supposed to support our flank, but he withdrew his forces in the night. I barely escaped with my life."

"Brilliantly, if Rivendell's account is at all accurate."

The Count smiled. "In few things was that book accurate. But if a man may be measured by the scorn of others, I am pleased he hates me so."

Vlad smiled. "We have just finished our model. We will send more scouts to see how it changes."

The Count's blue eyes narrowed. "If it is your intent to do harm to this place or its master, it would do me great pleasure to be of service in any way possible."

"I think," Vlad said as he untied his apron and slipped it off, "we should be most happy to accommodate your desire."

The Count waited patiently on the lawn as the other three men stripped to the flesh and washed themselves off in the river. They chatted about nonsensical things as the sun dried them off, then pulled their clothes back on and moved back up onto the lawn. The servants had set out a blanket and a meal of bread, cheese, tomatoes, and maize relish. They added a red wine, which the Count praised as "refreshing"-a polite way of saying it was far too young to be in a bottle and that it could not compare to Continental wines.

Vlad found himself inclined to like the Kessian and think better of him than his initial appearance had suggested. After lunch they returned to the model and studied it for an hour. Von Metternin offered insights about vulnerable points, couching them in realistic assessments of the necessary troop dispositions to affect a siege. His estimate amounted to more troops than the Crown had in all of Mystria, which cast the idea of ever being rid of du Malphias into doubt.

After that the Prince had taken him to see Mugwump. The Count marveled at the colors and lack of stench. The wurm splashed him and he did not react with the good graces Owen had exhibited. He'd stiffly retreated from the wurmrest, pulled off his boots, then marched into the river fully clothed and ridded himself of as much filth as he could.